By the time she had been returned to her bed, she had sustained a significant number of injuries which, thankfully, did not leave any lasting impact.

Passing the man’s sentence Mr Paul Dunkels QC pointed to the seriousness of the crime and said: ‘I am sure that the injuries were caused by your rough handling, which probably came as a result of your frustration.

‘I am aware of the way in which that those who have committed these types of offences are treated by other inmates, and it is likely prison will not be an easy ride.’

Mitigating, Simon Cooper told the court that social services were no longer involved in the man’s relationship with his own child, who he visits at least once a week in the company of at least one other family member.

He said: ‘He has worked extremely hard to gain the trust of social services and to develop as a parent.’